Puppies, just like human beings, are prone to illnesses and injuries. Because of this, it is vital that pet owners do everything that they can in order to keep their pets healthy over the years. While getting your puppy plenty of exercise and buying it high quality food can go a long way in protecting your puppy’s health, things can still happen that will force you to take your puppy to the veterinarian.

In these cases, it is very important that you have puppy health insurance because veterinarian bills can add up very quickly. Many people in Great Britain are unaware of how much a hospital visit can cost for a human being because the healthcare system takes care of these costs. The cost of a veterinarian visit might not be as high, but it is still significant, especially if you have to make multiple visits per year.

Puppy insurance will make sure that your puppy is covered all year around, so that you will not have to shell out the money if your puppy gets sick. Since certain injuries can cost you thousands of pounds, it is vital that you get this insurance to save you the money. While there are many exclusions found in these policies, such as spaying and neutering, grooming, pre-existing conditions, and parasites, most surgeries, and office visits generally are covered. You can also receive coverage on antibiotics, x-rays, and any possible hospital stays for your puppy.

This insurance is important because many people are forced to put their puppies down every year for conditions that are curable. The reason that these individuals choose to euthanise their pets is down to simple finance, they cannot afford the procedure that would potentially save its life. In other cases, puppies are forced to live their lives in pain because their owner cannot afford a procedure, which is just as sad.

The good news is that this is preventable through some nicely priced puppy insurance. You would not want to be left deciding on how important your puppy truly is to you when faced with a multiple thousand-pound vet bill, so make sure that you look into puppy insurance. You will not regret your decision to purchase one of these affordable plans because, unlike other types of insurance, it is almost guaranteed that you will use it.

The amount that your puppy insurance will costs depends on which company that you go through and how healthy your puppy currently is. Your puppy’s insurance will probably be less than that of an older dog because your puppy will be less likely to have any pre-existing conditions because of its age. The most common policies include a yearly exam, micro-chipping, deworming, and one major surgery. Many puppy policies also include the puppy’s vaccinations because that is very important during the first few months of the dog’s life. If you truly want your puppy to have the best of everything in life and to be taken care of in case the unforeseen occurs, then you will want to invest in some puppy insurance as soon as possible.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For Puppy Insurance, he recommends Healthy Pets, a specialist pet insurer.

Puppies are fragile little things, and can be at risk of injuries and diseases because they don’t yet know the world round them, but also becauase their immune system is not yet strong.

Because it is helpless during these critical months, preventing these ailments is largely your responsibility. Therefore, if you want to keep your puppy healthy and happy, familiarizing yourself with the most common ailments in advance can be the best thing you can do for him.

To help you get acquainted with what it takes to keep your puppy in good shape – I’ve compiled a list of the most common FAQs and answers about puppy health.

1. Distemper – The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) calls this disease the “greatest single threat to the world’s dog population”. Unvaccinated dogs from four months to four years old are at the greatest risk.

It is caused by a viral infection spread through saliva, urine, feces, even through inhalation of droplets from sneezes and coughs.

There is no specific treatment for this, and many dogs don’t survive infection. This is why prevention is a much better option. Make sure your puppy gets vaccinated, and keep its surroundings as clean as possible to prevent infection.

2. Diarrhea – This is extremely common among puppies that are just starting to eat solid foods. Be aware, though, that it may also be a symptom of a more serious problem, such as a viral infection.

Make it a habit to check your dog’s feces regularly, and bring your pet to the vet at the first sign of an abnormality, such as bloody stools, or if diarrhea persists for longer than 3 days.

3. Constipation – Another very common problem for puppies. You can prevent this by ensuring your puppy always has fresh drinking water and enough physical activity.

Feed him a natural diet; if you wish, you can also add some fiber to his diet, in the form of a teaspoon of ground flaxseed.

However, if you notice that your puppy has particular difficulty doing a poo, or if doing so seems painful, have a vet check him immediately for a possible intestinal blockage. If you leave constipation untreated, your puppy may suffer intoxication because of waste back-up.

4. Vomiting – This is a normal occurrence when a puppy has eaten too much or too quickly. And that can happen often, as puppies don’t have an internal trigger system that alerts them when they are full. Prevent over-eating by feeding him the right amount. And make sure you always have fresh water for him to drink.

If your puppy shows distress or pain after vomiting, however, bring it to the vet right away. It might be a symptom of poisoning. Chronic vomiting and loss of appetite (for more than 24 hours), on the other hand, may arise from worm infestation or infectious illnesses.

5. Ear mites – If your puppy is always scratching its ears or shaking its head, check the inside of its ears. If it smells or contains brown wax, this may be due to ear mites. This condition is very contagious and may lead to outer ear infection and even hearing loss. Give your puppy some Vitamin C to combat the infection, clean its ears, and consult with a vet for proper treatment.

6. Parvo – This virus is another extremely contagious condition which typically affects puppies that are being weaned. It can cause serious cardiac and intestinal problems. Symptoms usually include extreme lethargy, agitation, loss of appetite, restlessness, and fever. Parvo often leads to death if not treated, so take your puppy to the vet immediately if you see these symptoms.

7. Scabies – Also known as sarcoptic mange, this skin condition results in hair loss and brown lesions and can make your puppy extremely irritated and agitated. Scabies are highly contagious and can even infect people, so be careful when handling your puppy if you think it has this condition. Bring it to the vet for appropriate treatment.

8. Cough – Hacking cough or kennel cough is caused by a bacterial or viral infection. This can be treated with commercial medicines or herbal home remedies. If coughing is chronic, however, it may be a sign of a more serious disease, such as heartworm. If your puppy continues coughing for more than a week, consult with your vet.

Fortunately, there are many sprays, topical medications and shampoos that can help remove these pests from your dog. Make sure your puppy is over the minimum age (usually 8 to 10 weeks) before using these products. Once you’ve eliminated all parasites, put your pet on flea and tick prevention medication to avoid this problem in the future.

10. Heartworm – These parasites live in your dog’s bloodstream and are transmitted through mosquito bites. They can cause severe damage to the heart, lungs and liver, typically causing death due to heart failure.

Worse, they are usually undetectable until your dog is already ill with the disease. Treating this illness usually involves costly and powerful medicines, and sometimes actual heart surgery. Prevention is far more desirable. Make sure your dog is on a heartworm preventive medication by 8 weeks of age.

It should be given once a month during peak mosquito season, without fail. Consult with your vet for the brand that will suit your puppy best.

As you can see, these common problems are best addressed by early detection, preparation and prevention. Keep your pet’s vaccinations updated and always be on the lookout for any possible symptoms. Learn to understand your puppy’s predisposition, and that way you’ll be able to notice any difference in his condition – to ensure early detection. This way, you’ll ensure a long, happy and healthy life for your puppy.

Anita Watson is passionate dog owner with years of experience in helping people raise and train their dogs, using real methods that work fast. She owns and maintains RaiseALovingDog.com, an indispensable resource on puppy health.

If being green is important to you, there are a number of ways that you can care for your puppy in an environmentally responsible way. Here are a couple tips to make you and your pup an eco-friendly duo.

Adopt your puppy. Puppy mills are not only cruel, but they are wasteful eco-dumps. Do not support the puppy mill industry and adopt your puppy from a shelter. Fix your pup. The Humane Society estimates that there are more than 70,000 puppies and kittens born daily in the USA. This rampant overpopulation not only strains resources, but it also leads to neglected animals. Spay or neuter your pet to help curb the overpopulation that leads to the need for shelters. Use eco-friendly products. You can find an eco-friendly version of all things doggie these days. There are durable hemp toys, washable puppy pads for house breaking, and chemical-free cleaning products for bath time. Take a moment to read labels and the green products will be easy to spot. Compost your puppy?s waste. Don?t just toss Fido?s poo into the garbage. Sadly, landfills are incredibly inefficient environments for breaking down materials. Instead, dig a compost area in your yard, away from any vegetables or plants you plan to eat. This will help keep your garden fertilized and also make waste disposal fast and easy. Buy quality food. Buy your pup food that comes from quality, organic ingredients. Most inexpensive dog foods come from diseased or dying cattle and uses grains grown with harsh chemicals. If you are feeling really eco-friendly and motivated, you can even use your leftovers to make your buddy?s diner. Stick to vegetables, meats, fruit and grains, because leftover tiramisu is not so good for puppies. Other foods to avoid include raw meat, grapes or raisins, onions, macadamia nuts, walnuts, mustard seed, any for of garlic, mushrooms, moldy food, yeast dough, chocolate or candy, and artificial sweeteners or fats. Coffee grounds, tea and alcohol are no-no?s too. The Humane Society has a comprehensive list of potentially poisonous foods to pets and I-love-dogs.com offers a great list of dog food recipes.